Songs From An Open Road is a weekend of music, talks and film which will explore the sources and examine the influence of what is often referred to as 'global music'. Audiences can look forward to an in depth look at the various hues of melody and rhythm that permeate our planet, from the dusty trails of eastern Europe and Georgian female Trio Mandilli and their stripped down popular folk harmonies, to the Fela Kuit inspired and Nigerian born Allen Taylor's Afro Beat Orchestra's pulsating beats and rhythms.
On Thursday, November 17, 7:00pm in An Taibhdhearc, Aboriginal female folk powerhouse Jessie Lloyd teams up with Irish/Australian guitar legend Steve Cooney for an exclusive one off show as both musicians meet on stage for the first time. The story is made more interesting as Steve had his musical education personally inspired by Jessie's father, Joe Geia who was a mentor of Cooney's and who is considered a pioneer of contemporary indigenous music in Australia and composed the Aboriginal national anthem 'Yil Lull'. Jessie herself is a cultural practitioner of indigenous music and is dedicated to preserving song traditions.
On Friday, November 18, 8:00pm in the Róisín Dubh, the rhythms in the Róisín Dubh will double, as DJ Dave Club SANDINO Donovan will spin records late into the night in Galway, for the first time in 30 years ahead of a like afrobeat performance. Dave takes the decks after will be a blistering set from Allen Taylor's Afrobeat Orchestra. With a line up that includes tenor, alto and baritone sax alongside the trumpet and a 3-piece chorus section the sound is big, bold, brassy and soulful. The Club Sandino performance fee will be forwarded to the Ukraine Red Cross Appeal.
Saturday, November 19, 10:00pm in The Loft, Sarathy Korwar with Citadel and guests DJ International Music Podcast Saturday night's big late-night show of the festival is an exciting triple bill of varied global influences. Arriving into Galway for a Christmas Market pop up live performance earlier in the afternoon Citadel will begin musical proceedings in The Loft on Saturday.
Citadel are a group of musicians formed in the Kinsale Road Direct Provision centre in 2018 who refuse to be put down by the system. From different countries they bring you the music of Burundi, Ukraine, Angola and Tanzania. The stage will then be cleared for one of the most eagerly awaited concerts of the Songs From An Open Road festival, the debut Irish performance and official beginning of the US born, Indian raised, UK based Sarathy Korwar and his band's world tour.
Concert and venue information are available from https://www.songsfromanopenroad.com/
